Las Vegas Review-JournalFor the first time in 20 years, passengers boarded a train Friday connecting Boulder City to Henderson.
Gov. Brian Sandoval squatted down and took a few whacks at a chrome spike on a stretch of track that finally bridges a gap created two decades ago between the Southern Nevada cities.

“We’re talking about a day where we’re making history, but we’re also restoring history,” Sandoval said as gusty winds whipped around a crowd of 200 people gathered for a dedication ceremony.

“I think about the people coming to Southern Nevada, and they want a legitimate quality experience and adventure,” Sandoval said. “Now they’re going to be able to have that and share that as a family.”

An art deco-style steel truss bridge spanning nearly 364 feet helped restore service on the Boulder Branch rail line, a spur that curves away from the main Union Pacific line in Las Vegas, runs through Henderson and — once again — connects to Boulder City.

The rail bridge, and an accompanying pedestrian bridge connecting Henderson and River Mountains hiking trails, were built by the Nevada Department of Transportation as part of a 2.5-mile concrete segment of Interstate 11 that’s scheduled to open in May.

This bridge make it possible for the Museum to extend the trains that it runs. UP RR still serves some customers ()mostly inbound plastic pellets) on the branch, so at this point its not clear exactly where the Museum trains might turn back.